Diversified High Income ETF Portfolio, Series 3
This unit investment trust (UIT) seeks to provide investors with a high rate of current monthly
income by investing across a broad range of high income paying exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
When selecting ETFs for this portfolio, we look at several factors including:
Consistent Dividend | We favor funds which have a history of paying a consistent dividend.
Expense Ratio | We favor funds which have a lower than average expense ratio relative to
their peers.
Diversification | We limit exposure to individual fund companies/managers.
Liquidity | We favor larger funds and more liquid funds, with a minimum market capitalization
of $50 million.
The ETFs in the portfolio invest in, but are not limited to, common stocks, floating-rate securities,
high-yield securities, investment grade securities, preferred securities, options, senior loans,
covenant-lite loans and foreign securities.
What Is An ETF?
ETFs offer investors the opportunity to buy and sell an entire basket of securities with a single
transaction throughout the trading day. ETFs combine the characteristics of a mutual fund with
the convenience and trading flexibility of stocks. Below is a list of other ETF features.
Diversification | ETFs hold a basket of securities which helps to mitigate single security risk. It is
important to note that diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.
Transparency | ETF holdings are available daily so investors know what they own.
Tax Efficiency | The ETF structure allows for increased tax efficiency.
Fully Invested | Unlike a traditional mutual fund, ETFs do not need to hold cash in order to
satisfy investor redemptions which allows them to better adhere to their investment objective.
Portfolio Objectives
This UIT seeks a high rate of current monthly income, with capital appreciation as a secondary
objective. There is, however, no assurance that the objectives of the portfolio will be achieved.
Not FDIC Insured Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value |
You should consider the portfolio's investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact your financial advisor or call First Trust Portfolios, L.P. 1.800.621.1675 to request a prospectus, which contains this and other information about the portfolio. Read it carefully before you invest.
Risk Considerations
An investment in this unmanaged unit investment trust should be made with an understanding of the risks associated with an investment in a portfolio of exchange-traded funds. ETFs are
subject to various risks, including management’s ability to meet the fund’s investment objective, and to manage the fund’s portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold, during periods of market turmoil and
as investors’ perceptions regarding ETFs or their underlying investments change. Unlike open-end funds, which trade at prices based on a current determination of the fund’s net asset value, ETFs frequently trade at a discount
from their net asset value in the secondary market.
Common stocks are subject to certain risks, such as an economic recession and the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general condition of the stock market.
A floating-rate security is an instrument in which the interest rate payable on the obligation fluctuates on a periodic basis based upon changes in an interest rate benchmark. As a result, the yield on such a security will generally
decline in a falling interest rate environment, causing the trust to experience a reduction in the income it receives from such securities.
Investing in high-yield securities should be viewed as speculative and you should review your ability to assume the risks associated with investments which utilize such securities. High-yield securities are subject to numerous
risks, including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the junk bond market, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal. High-yield security prices tend to fluctuate more than higher
rated securities and are affected by short-term credit developments to a greater degree.
Investment grade securities are subject to numerous risks including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the investment grade security market or investors’ perception thereof, possible downgrades and
defaults of interest and/or principal.
Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates, and may reduce the market value of the securities. In addition, mortgage-backed
securities are subject to prepayment risk, the risk that borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected, particularly when interest rates decline.
Options are subject to various risks including that their
value may be adversely affected if the market for the option becomes less liquid or smaller. In addition,
options will be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the stock subject to the option, an
increase in interest rates, a change in the actual and perceived volatility of the stock market and the common
stock and the remaining time to expiration.
Preferred securities are equity securities of the issuing company which pay income in the form of dividends.
Preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital
structure, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments.
The yield on funds which invest in senior loans will generally decline in a falling interest rate environment
and increase in a rising interest rate environment. Senior loans are generally below investment grade quality
(“junk” bonds). An investment in senior loans involves the risk that the borrowers may default on their
obligations to pay principal or interest when due.
Covenant-lite loans contain fewer or no maintenance covenants and may hinder the funds’ ability to reprice
credit risk and mitigate potential loss especially during a downturn in the credit cycle.
U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to numerous risks including higher interest rates, economic recession
and deterioration of the bond market or investors’ perceptions thereof.
Securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to additional risks, including currency fluctuations, political risks, withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting non-U.S. issuers.
Risks associated with investing in non-U.S. securities may be more pronounced in emerging and developing markets where the securities markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid, less regulated, and more
volatile than the U.S. and developed non-U.S. markets.
As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the trust has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity.
Ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility
within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities could have a significant impact on certain investments as well as performance.
The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, or the potential impacts of any future public health crisis, may cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against future variants of the disease.
It is important to note that an investment can be made in the underlying funds directly rather than through the trust. These direct investments can be made without paying the trust’s sales charge, operating expenses and
organizational costs.
The value of the securities held by the trust may be subject to steep declines or increased volatility due to changes in performance or perception of the issuers.
This UIT is a buy and hold strategy and investors should consider their ability to hold the trust until maturity. There may be tax consequences unless units are purchased in an IRA or other qualified plan.
For a discussion of additional risks of investing in the trust see the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus.